Johnny Rad’s Pizzeria Tavern (2108 Eastern Ave.)

The next stop on the journey of GoodEats features a Baltimore favorite and a favorite of celebrity chef Guy Fieri. Johnny Rad’s Pizzeria Tavern made its national debut on Food Network’s hit television show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” last November. Since the debut, the restaurant has been buzzing with patrons wanting to have a slice of its famous Neapolitan style thin-crust pizza, which was exactly what brought me through the doors last Friday.

Located in the Upper Fells Point neighborhood off Eastern Avenue, Johnny Rad’s is a little corner pizzeria. Get here early on the weekends; parking can be quite a hassle. We had to drive around for a few minutes before finding an open spot on the road. Once inside, the restaurant lived up to all expectations from the show. The restaurant is just “cool.” Skateboards plastered all over the walls, a few retro pinball machines and a busy bar right when you walk in.

The menu is as cool and hip as the décor. Obviously, right when we were seated, our eyes went to the pizza section, trying to pinpoint the one Guy Fieri was scarfing down.

Before we ordered our pizza, we wanted to get started with something off the “bar fare” section of the menu. The risotto balls ($8) are what Fieri sampled and were instantly suggested to us. We wanted to try something a little different, however, and decided to order the fried edamame ($4), a simple twist on a staple of Japanese cuisine. The edamame were great, crunchy and perfectly salted.

Each pizza has two options, either a 12 or 16-inch pie. Go with the bigger one, you’ll want more. We went with the Trainwreck ($11/$16), a thin crust pizza topped with tomato sauce, mushrooms, baby spinach, black olives, olive oil, fresh mozzarella and sea salt (that was a mouthful to say). The pizza was fantastic and featured such crunchy crust with bubbly cheese and delicious toppings. Our waitress also suggested the pesto vitello ($10/$15) served with pesto sauce, cherry tomatoes and fresh mozzarella. If none of the premade pizza suggestions interest you, you can always create your own pizza with as many veggies, meats, cheeses and vegan meats as you’d like.

The menu also featured huge salads and mouth-watering sandwiches. The cheesesteak ($9) and Dogtown Special ($8) looked the best. The Dogtown Special was two quarter-pound all-beef hotdogs served on a pretzel bun.

Johnny Rad’s was fantastic, a cool restaurant, with helpful staff and amazing food. Where could you go wrong? It even has vegetarian and vegan alternatives.

I hope you all enjoy Johnny Rad’s as much as I did. Until next time, I wish you GoodEats!

 

 

Edited by Jared Kurlander.

Hamilton Tavern (5517 Harford Road)

I am always looking for a great burger. That is why this week I have chosen Hamilton Tavern as the newest GoodEats recommendation.

Tucked away off of Harford Road, you’ll miss this neighborhood joint if you blink. The interior is painted brown with a rustic feel and a big ornate door capture the storefront — once inside you just feel warm and cozy. All I needed was a blanket and a reclining chair.

The restaurant is comprised of just a couple tables and a short bar as you walk in.  Don’t look for a hostess stand here. The restaurant has no need for one, with a friendly bartender waiting to find you a table.

Now, I know I hyped these burgers up, but before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you all about the appetizers.

The appetizers, or “munchies,” are all centered on finger-food and easily shareable items. My family and I started with the daily special house-made chips and dip. That night they were featuring a warm broccoli and cheese beer sauce.

Alongside the chips and dip, we also got the disco fries ($6), which are hand-cut fries with a cheesy duck gravy, cheese blend and scallions. They were a truly guilty indulgence for all of us to enjoy.

Here we go, time to get all of your salivary glands going with this flavorful burger. The Crosstown Burger ($14) starts off with Roseda Farms fresh beef. They top the patty with lettuce, onion and horseradish cheddar. And, if you’re really feeling adventurous, throw a fried egg or bacon on it. The burger lived up to the hype; it was juicy and absolutely amazing.

Not to overshadow the rest of the menu items, but the burger was worth the drive. The pulled pork BBQ biscuit ($13) featuring a homemade cheddar-jalapeno drop biscuit was also scarfed down at my table.

Our server also recommended the falafel pita sandwich ($11) and the chicken sandwich special (a unique sandwich made up daily). No matter the entrée you chose, they are mostly all served with your choice of fries or chips.

For a dollar more, you can get broccoli salad, potato salad, a house salad or Boh Battered O’s. Get the onion rings. I repeat, get the rings, they were the real deal.

Hamilton Tavern had fantastic food and featured a wide array of local and craft drafts and bottles.  I hope you all make it out to this newest addition to GoodEats. And as always, if you have anywhere new for me to try please feel free to contact me.

Until next time. I wish you Goodeats.

 

The Crosstown Burger

 

– Edited by Jared Kurlander

The Dizz (300 W. 30th Street)

This quirky dive bar was my next stop on my list of GoodEats.  Located right off of 30th street in Baltimore, this restaurant will keep you wanting more.  The word quirky is defined as “an unexpected turn or twist.”  Trust me The Dizz is definitely unexpected.  When you walk in, all you can notice is the wide array of photos, ranging from historic Baltimore pictures, to Baltimore sports team and past celebrities. Then come the Christmas lights headlining the dim dining room, always on no matter the season.  All that comprises this dive is a few tables on the bottom floor, a few additional upstairs and a long straight lined bar in the front of the restaurant.

Though the restaurant is small, the food does not disappoint, highlighted by their famous burgers. The first thing that catches your eye on the appetizer list has to be the mac n’ cheese bites (deep fried balls of gooey mac n cheese) and the crab pretzel (exactly what it sounds like, a soft-pretzel topped with cheesy homemade crab dip).    The next thing I have to talk about was has to be the other sandwiches on the menu.  Recommended was the French Dip Sandwich (roast beef with melted provolone and served with house made au jus). All of the salads won’t disappoint

Next, it’s only right to mention the undeniably outrageously good list of burgers.  They are all hand packed and served on a huge sesame bun with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo. There are a slew of different types of burgers to choose from.  Lets see…. To start off, I would have to recommend the Chesapeake Burger, which comes with crab dip and cheddar cheese, or the Brandied Pepper Burger with pepper rub, bacon and provolone cheese. Recommended to myself and acclaimed as the most decadent is the Italian burger with fresh mozzarella, dressing, and roasted red peppers. Whatever your fancy, all of The DIzz’s burgers are sure to make the next bite better than the last.

Please enjoy.  This restaurant is the epitome of GoodEats.  Once you’ve enjoyed The Dizz, you’ll be soon back!

Until next time.  I wish you GoodEats!

Black and Bleu Burger – blackening spices, bacon, and bleu cheese

Chesapeake Burger – crab dip and cheddar cheese.